JAM Magazine: December/January 1998 Issue: For the Record

Richard Ross
(with Wim Wollner's "Inner City")
COMING FROM KANSAS CITY
A Records (A Division of
Challenge Records Services B.V.)

Personnel: Richard Ross, vocals; Wim Wollner, tenor sax; Jos
Machtel, bass, trumpet, trombone; Martin Dijst, drums; Robert Jan
Vermeulen, Hammond B-3 organ, piano; Martien Oster, guitar.

Tracks: Body and Fenderman, I Wanna Get Funky, The Comeback, God Bless the Child, I Just Wanna Make Love To You, Jelly Jelly, Just a Dream, I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water, Since I Fell For You, Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You, The Trick Bag

Recorded at Studio 44, Monster, The Netherlands; Max Bolleman, engineer.

With the September passing of Richard Ross, Kansas City watched an important light flicker and die in the area's jazz and blues scene. With this his final CD, however, recorded in The Netherlands in April of 1996, Richard reminds us that we will always have his great music.

Just now released in the United States, Coming From Kansas City showcases the talents of Ross and a fine backup band called "Inner City" led by saxophonist Wim Wollner. All of the band members are based in Amsterdam.

Beginning with the first cut, "Body and Fenderman," Richard Ross takes off with all of the aplomb he was known for in his many live performances around Kansas City. Some major funk from Robert Jan Vermeulen on Hammond B-3 is also a highlight on this track.

Next, Richard swings off into the blues with "I Wanna Get Funky." It's the kind of song that evokes a small, smoky bar, the listener nursing a drink or three. Guitarist Martien Oster shows his bluesy side and Wollner's sax wails just enough to create the mood.

Richard Ross has often been compared to Lou Rawls. "The Comeback" confirms why. ...The blues-soaked voice, smooth at times, somewhat hoarse at others. This cut is also pure Kansas City jump blues. It's hard to believe Amsterdam's Inner City is not really a KC band.

On the classic, "God Bless the Child" -- done here as a mix of vocal and instrumental -- the backup band is at its finest. This cut alone should cause local club owners to take notice and try to bring these guys to Kansas City.

"I Just Wanna Make Love To You," "Jelly Jelly," and "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water" -- all favorites of Ross' local following -- are also thrown into the mix here. They will each make you turn and wait for Richard to again walk through the door and be invited to sit in.

More smoky nightclubs are evoked with "Just a Dream," "Since I Fell For You," and "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You." All three belong in the barroom, in the wee hours, with a lone couple dancing closely just before "last call." ...The smoke curls into the air, you close your eyes, you melt into the music...

Coming to Kansas City concludes with a wonderful version of "The Trick Bag," an instrumental with solid horns, guitar and B-3. That Richard Ross decided to give the last cut to the band is further testimony that he was always gracious, right up to the end.

With the winter months ahead, and much time spent indoors, this CD is perfect accompaniment to a warm fire and a good book. And again, it serves as a reminder that, because of the music he left behind, Richard Ross will always live on.

-- Vanessa Barnard

(This CD is available at Music Exchange. -- Ed.)

Pat Wilson
I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU
VocalPoint CD-73587

Personnel: Pat Wilson, vocals; Paul Smith, Russ Long, Ken Kehner, piano; Gerald Spaits, Bob Bowman, bass; Ray DeMarchi, Todd Strait, drums; Danny Embrey, guitar and mandolin; Stan Kessler, trumpet; Kim Park, flute and tenor sax; Doug Talley, Bob Ousley, Bill Caldwell, Bob Kindred, tenor sax; Kerry Strayer, bari sax; Arch Martin, trombone; Don Lipovac, accordion

Tracks: Whisper Not, Happy Madness, I Thought About You, It Could Happen To You, Skylark, This Can't Be Love, This Will Make You Laugh, Bluesette, Born To Be Blue, Tulip or Turnip, Wonder Where, Easy Street, All My Life, This Is Always, Sorrento

Recorded at Soundtrek Studios, Kansas City, MO; Ron Ubel, engineer.

Before you listen to this first recording by singer Pat Wilson, open a nice bottle of wine, light a blaze in the fireplace, grab your honey and settle in for an evening of romance.

Best remembered as a vocalist with the Warren Durrett Band, Pat Wilson tastefully translates many of these old dance band charts into a variety of small ensemble settings. Backed by a number of local players, Pat Wilson wraps her warm, satiny smooth voice around these beautiful tunes with straight forward readings. Filling the majority of the bandstand duties are Paul Smith (piano), Bob Bowman (bass) and Todd Strait (drums). Also making substantial contributions are Danny Embrey (guitar), Kim Park (flute and sax), Stan Kessler (trumpet) and Kerry Strayer (bari sax) who also added his arranging skills to this project.

Whether in a large band setting, or with the arrangements of a traditional trio, all of which and more are wonderfully emulated on this recording, Pat Wilson seems quite at home.

I Thought About You is a good balance of romance, nostalgia and great musicianship.

-- William Buchanan III

(This album is slated for a December 15 release and will available at local retail outlets including Borders Books & Music, Streetside Records, Music Exchange and the Music Store at the Nelson Art Gallery. -- Ed.)

RETURN TO DECEMBER/JANUARY 1998 MAIN INDEX

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© Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.






	Search our site:		Richard Ross (with Wim Wollner's "Inner City") COMING FROM KANSAS CITY A Records (A Division of Challenge Records Services B.V.) Personnel: Richard Ross, vocals; Wim Wollner, tenor sax; Jos Machtel, bass, trumpet, trombone; Martin Dijst, drums; Robert Jan Vermeulen, Hammond B-3 organ, piano; Martien Oster, guitar. Tracks: Body and Fenderman, I Wanna Get Funky, The Comeback, God Bless the Child, I Just Wanna Make Love To You, Jelly Jelly, Just a Dream, I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water, Since I Fell For You, Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You, The Trick Bag Recorded at Studio 44, Monster, The Netherlands; Max Bolleman, engineer. With the September passing of Richard Ross, Kansas City watched an important light flicker and die in the area's jazz and blues scene. With this his final CD, however, recorded in The Netherlands in April of 1996, Richard reminds us that we will always have his great music. Just now released in the United States, Coming From Kansas City showcases the talents of Ross and a fine backup band called "Inner City" led by saxophonist Wim Wollner. All of the band members are based in Amsterdam. Beginning with the first cut, "Body and Fenderman," Richard Ross takes off with all of the aplomb he was known for in his many live performances around Kansas City. Some major funk from Robert Jan Vermeulen on Hammond B-3 is also a highlight on this track. Next, Richard swings off into the blues with "I Wanna Get Funky." It's the kind of song that evokes a small, smoky bar, the listener nursing a drink or three. Guitarist Martien Oster shows his bluesy side and Wollner's sax wails just enough to create the mood. Richard Ross has often been compared to Lou Rawls. "The Comeback" confirms why. ...The blues-soaked voice, smooth at times, somewhat hoarse at others. This cut is also pure Kansas City jump blues. It's hard to believe Amsterdam's Inner City is not really a KC band. On the classic, "God Bless the Child" -- done here as a mix of vocal and instrumental -- the backup band is at its finest. This cut alone should cause local club owners to take notice and try to bring these guys to Kansas City. "I Just Wanna Make Love To You," "Jelly Jelly," and "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water" -- all favorites of Ross' local following -- are also thrown into the mix here. They will each make you turn and wait for Richard to again walk through the door and be invited to sit in. More smoky nightclubs are evoked with "Just a Dream," "Since I Fell For You," and "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You." All three belong in the barroom, in the wee hours, with a lone couple dancing closely just before "last call." ...The smoke curls into the air, you close your eyes, you melt into the music... Coming to Kansas City concludes with a wonderful version of "The Trick Bag," an instrumental with solid horns, guitar and B-3. That Richard Ross decided to give the last cut to the band is further testimony that he was always gracious, right up to the end. With the winter months ahead, and much time spent indoors, this CD is perfect accompaniment to a warm fire and a good book. And again, it serves as a reminder that, because of the music he left behind, Richard Ross will always live on. -- Vanessa Barnard (This CD is available at Music Exchange. -- Ed.) Pat Wilson I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU VocalPoint CD-73587 Personnel: Pat Wilson, vocals; Paul Smith, Russ Long, Ken Kehner, piano; Gerald Spaits, Bob Bowman, bass; Ray DeMarchi, Todd Strait, drums; Danny Embrey, guitar and mandolin; Stan Kessler, trumpet; Kim Park, flute and tenor sax; Doug Talley, Bob Ousley, Bill Caldwell, Bob Kindred, tenor sax; Kerry Strayer, bari sax; Arch Martin, trombone; Don Lipovac, accordion Tracks: Whisper Not, Happy Madness, I Thought About You, It Could Happen To You, Skylark, This Can't Be Love, This Will Make You Laugh, Bluesette, Born To Be Blue, Tulip or Turnip, Wonder Where, Easy Street, All My Life, This Is Always, Sorrento Recorded at Soundtrek Studios, Kansas City, MO; Ron Ubel, engineer. Before you listen to this first recording by singer Pat Wilson, open a nice bottle of wine, light a blaze in the fireplace, grab your honey and settle in for an evening of romance. Best remembered as a vocalist with the Warren Durrett Band, Pat Wilson tastefully translates many of these old dance band charts into a variety of small ensemble settings. Backed by a number of local players, Pat Wilson wraps her warm, satiny smooth voice around these beautiful tunes with straight forward readings. Filling the majority of the bandstand duties are Paul Smith (piano), Bob Bowman (bass) and Todd Strait (drums). Also making substantial contributions are Danny Embrey (guitar), Kim Park (flute and sax), Stan Kessler (trumpet) and Kerry Strayer (bari sax) who also added his arranging skills to this project. Whether in a large band setting, or with the arrangements of a traditional trio, all of which and more are wonderfully emulated on this recording, Pat Wilson seems quite at home. I Thought About You is a good balance of romance, nostalgia and great musicianship. -- William Buchanan III (This album is slated for a December 15 release and will available at local retail outlets including Borders Books & Music, Streetside Records, Music Exchange and the Music Store at the Nelson Art Gallery. -- Ed.) RETURN TO DECEMBER/JANUARY 1998 MAIN INDEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2001. All rights reserved.